Even though recruiting generally slows during just before the spring evaluation period, Joe Bolden's recruiting process continues to be busy. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker from the Cincinnati (Ohio) Colerain has the attention of coaches across the country. Bolden has offers top programs like, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and many more, but are there any schools above the rest?

"I haven't really narrowed a list down yet, but I know Michigan and Boston College are up there," said Bolden. "I am just focusing on building relationship with coaches and getting more information on other schools right now."

What has made Boston College become one of the top schools to beat?

"It has great academics as well as a great football, and they produce NFL talents every year," said Bolden. "It is definitely a school I will be looking at."

Coach Sirmans and Coach McGovern have been hard at work recruiting the Ohio native. What have they said Bolden's role would be as an Eagle?

"They said they wanted be honest with me. They really can't evaluate me at the linebacker position I play in high school, so they would have to wait until I get to BC and see what I have to offer. But they said I would definitely be playing and probably be running the defense."

Bolden plays in a 50-slant defense which features 4 linebackers. It's hard to tell which linebacker position Bolden will translate to because it is not a defense that many teams run anymore.

"I played inside and outside linebacker in our defense along with [2011 Notre Dame Commit] Jarrett Grace," said Bolden. "The defense is like the 3-4, where both outside linebackers can be up or drop back. The lineman slant and the linebackers are free to fill the gaps and make plays. We're probably the last school to run that type of defense, and one of the last schools that still runs the option offense."

Bolden will be making visits to schools this spring and summer. His biggest concerns are academics, then athletics and then how he fits in and the tradition. When will he be making a trip up to Boston?

"I haven't had a chance to find a flight up to Boston that is cheap enough," said Bolden. "My grandparents live in New Hampshire, so I want to come up this spring or at worst the summer and take a visit to BC and see my grandparents."

The standout linebacker says the only stats that matter to him are wins and losses. But with two senior linebackers graduating, look for the talented linebacker to see a significant increase in production from last year's 80+ tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions.